87 vs. 8 - Keep your Fingers Crossed

Sid the Kid lead his team to victory and 1st place in the Eastern Conference after a 3-1 win over the Rangers today. Lets face it, the NHL needs this badly. They need a team like Pittsburgh to go far in the playoffs to peak any interest in major US networks. They need a face like Sidney to represent the league. He's charismatic, well spoken, and a game breaker. What could be better than a lengthy Pittsburgh run in the playoffs?

How about a Pittsburgh vs. Washington showdown?

Ovechkin vs. Crosby. Imagine the former Hart trophy winner vs. this years potential Hart trophy winner. For a hockey journalist it would be like Christmas Day in the middle of April.

One can only hope.

If the league is to become successful in the USA they need to hype up the drama and stories behind each game. They need to intensify the rivalries with their epic NBC style pregame montages. This potentially could be that series to get it all started again.

Washington is still 2 points back of Boston and Boston has a game in hand. The Sabres need to do Washington a favour if they want to have any chance of making the playoffs. I've got my fingers crossed. Do you?

A Class Above the Rest

Minnesota Wild defenceman Kurtis Foster is expecting a new contract offer. That would have been a sure thing about 2 weeks ago. Except now it's kind of unexpected.

On March 19th, Foster suffered a broken femur while hustling back for an icing call. It's a potential career threatening injury. The Wild are unsure if Foster will ever play in the NHL again but are proceeding to offer him a contract.

"I don't have to qualify him [to retain his rights], but I will," Wild GM Doug Risebrough told the Star-Tribune. "It's a bad message not to do that. He's a good player. He needs a motivation [to rehab], and he doesn't need that stress in his life."

The Wild will offer Foster a one-year, $1.025 million contract before the June 25 deadline, which insurance would not have covered according to Wild assistant general manager Tom Lynn.

That's a classy move by the organization. There are many other teams out there that would have not re-qualified him as an RFA. I'm impressed and it shows that they really care about the individuals there. It isn't necessarily the smartest business move for them, but it goes to show that this corporation has a heart